Cockroach Extermination

Identification & Behavior

While there are several species in Ohio, the German Cockroach is by far the most common and challenging indoor infester. They are light brown with two dark stripes down their back, preferring warm, dark, and humid environments.

If you see one roach during the day, it usually means the nest is so overcrowded that they are being forced out into the light. They hide incredibly well inside wall voids, behind refrigerators, under sinks, and even inside the motor housings of microwaves and dishwashers. They breed rapidly; a single female can produce hundreds of offspring in just a few months.

Health & Disease Vectors

Cockroaches do not bite, but they pose severe health hazards to humans in two major ways:

• Mechanical Vectors: Roaches crawl through garbage, sewage, and decaying matter. They pick up dangerous pathogens like E. coli and Salmonella on their spiny legs and transfer them directly onto your countertops, dishes, and unprotected food.
• Asthma & Allergies: This is the hidden danger. As roaches grow, they constantly shed their skins. Their cast skins, saliva, and droppings break down into an airborne dust that is recognized medically as one of the leading triggers for childhood asthma.